Page 72 of The Bitterroot Inn (Jamison Valley 5)
Just like Everett.
And who was I? I was the stupid woman who hadn’t learned her lesson from the first doctor she’d dated.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer blared over the speakers. “Please rise and remove your hats for our national anthem.”
We all obeyed and stood, crossing our right hands on our hearts as we watched the rodeo queen ride her horse around the arena with the American flag.
“Coby, be quiet please.” I twisted to give my order at the same time Jess shushed Ben.
As The Star-Spangled Banner filled the air, I took a few deep breaths, relieved for the inch separating me from Hunter.
The surprise of learning Hunter’s job was fading. Now I was just mad and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.
I was going to have to suffer through tonight. As much as I wanted answers from Hunter, the rodeo—with all of Jamison County watching—was not the place to get into a fight.
So when the anthem stopped, I sat down, clamped my mouth shut and let Hunter wrap his arm around me again. Then I watched as the rodeo got into full swing and listened as my friends laughed and talked.
“How are you liking Prescott this time around?” Silas asked Hunter.
“It’s been great,” he answered, rubbing my arm. “I missed the slower pace when I was in Chicago. The year I was here before got me hooked.”
“You’ve been gone for what, a year?” Felicity asked.
“Year and a half.”
I closed my eyes and took a long, slow breath trying to calm my temper. What an informative conversation. Maybe I’d know more about Hunter if I had brought him around my friends sooner. The privacy he seemed to covet with me had vanished in good company.
“Do you have a house?” Felicity asked.
“Yeah, I’m building one up in the foothills.”
“Up Fan Mountain Road?” Silas asked.
Hunter nodded. “The crew is actually finishing this week. I’ve been staying at the motel while they wrap up construction.”
Hey! Something I actually know about my boyfriend. Apparently, the only thing he felt like talking to me about was his house.
“How are you liking the hospital?” Sabrina asked.
“It’s great. One of the best I’ve worked at. It’s small, but they’ve got a great setup.” Hunter looked behind him and smiled at Sara and Gigi. “That and I’ve got amazing coworkers.”
The conversation continued and, with it, my frustration. Thirty minutes into the rodeo, the event crew was switching out the barrel racing to bare-bronc riding and I was in desperate need of a break.
I stood and bent for my purse. “I’m going down to get some dinner.”
Hunter rose from his seat. “Do you want help?”
“I’ll get it for you,” Beau said. “Coby, want to come with me to get hot dogs?”
“No, I’ll g—”
“And chips!” Coby abandoned his playmates in favor of his uncle.
“Do you guys want anything?” Beau asked me and Hunter.
“I can go down, really,” I insisted but Beau just shook his head.
“If you’re not feeling well, you should stay. I’m hungry anyway. Be back in a flash.” He hoisted Coby up on his shoulders and they descended the stairs, stealing my reprieve.
